The German 9€ ticket — how federal decisions impact municipalities
In order to relieve citizens of the rising costs of inflation and fluctuating fuel costs, politicians saw an opportunity to launch a major campaign with the German 9€ ticket. What happens if you cut the cost of public transportation to almost nothing? For the months of June, July, and August in 2022, the use of German public transport and regional trains was to cost only 9€ for a month. No matter to which destination, the duration of the ride, or how often one used public transportation services. 9€ — that was all one needed.
The 9€ ticket experiment. A success story?
What we were able to witness was how federal policies have extended to the municipal level. This week we talked about the most significant and visible role of municipalities: To provide services like infrastructure, garbage, running libraries, and public sports facilities — the list seems to be endless. One major service provided, however, is transit, which is used daily by a large part of society. Taylor and Bradford emphasize in their text that the autonomy of the municipalities is limited and thus constrained by among others higher levels of government. Sancton goes further by mentioning that municipalities not only make policy but are also policy takers. It is a unique feature of how municipalities are expected to react to federal and provincial initiatives.
This is exactly what we observed with the 9€ ticket in Germany. As proposed by the Greens, it was decided upon the 9€ ticket at the federal level in the spring of 2022. With the 9€ ticket, one thing was quickly clear: public transport and regional trains will be available to everyone at an affordable price. The train ride to work? No problem. A short inner city ride? No problem. Annoying search for a parking space? No problem. Going on vacation at a reasonable price? No problem.
But what was necessary to anticipate at the municipal level? What effects were to be expected by municipal politicians and decision-makers? What consequences did this federal political decision have for municipalities?
Because of the ticket’s revolutionary price, a strong increase in passengers was expected for June, July, and August in 2022. This demand had to be met mostly at the municipal level. The timetable had to be adjusted, more service personnel had to be provided, increased repairs and readiness of vehicles had to be foreseen, and increased security at stations and stops had to be provided.
The 9€ ticket: Decided at the federal level — implemented with all of its effects and consequences at the municipal level. Municipalities — policy maker and policy taker.
The 9€ ticket experiment. A success story!
“The 9-euro ticket is a brilliant success! The most important lesson for me: if the complicated fare zones disappear and the tickets are valid nationwide, public transport will be used much more.”
Volker Wissing, Federal Minister for Digital and Transport
Although currently highly discussed, the ticket can be seen as a success. Germany has not been the first state to introduce public transportation at nearly no cost, but it has been indeed the largest one to run such an impactful experiment. By the end of August, about 52 million tickets had been sold. According to a German traffic study, congestion has been reduced in 23 out of 26 cities. Especially in the city of Hamburg, the average congestion has been reduced by 20%. Passenger traffic has increased by 58% on short routes directly in the first week of June. 17% of ticket users switched from other means of transport (such as a car) to public transport in August. 10% of ticket users gave up at least one of their daily car journeys.
The 1st of September marked the end of the 9€ ticket. There was a great desire for a continuation by German citizens. Currently, a slightly more expensive alternative is being discussed politically. For the environment and the wallet of the citizens, this would be desirable in any case.
Information retrieved from: https://www.bmvi.de/SharedDocs/DE/Artikel/K/9-euro-ticket-beschlossen.html
https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-9-euro-ticket-train-public-transport/
https://www.vdv.de/bilanz-9-euro-ticket.aspx
Picture: https://www.viveberlintours.com/en/travel-blog-berlin/9-euro-ticket-berlin/
